Systems and methods for optimizing microgrid power generation and management with predictive modeling

ABSTRACT

Systems and methods for coordinating selective activation of a multiplicity of emergency power generation equipment over a predetermined geographic area for distribution and/or storage to supply a microgrid of electrical power for a substantially similar geographic area.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/247,953 filed Sep. 28, 2011, which is incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to power generation and management, andmore particularly, to predictive-modeling optimization of microgriddistributed power generation and management using emergency powergeneration equipment.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Prior art provides for power generation, generally for methods foroptimizing microgrid function based on predicted or forecasted demand,including systems and methods for optimizing microgrid distributed powerusage based on predictive algorithms of power demand.

By way of example the following are relevant prior art documentsrelating to power management:

U.S. Pat. No. 7,115,010 and U.S. Publication 2004/0051387 for “Controlof small distributed energy resources, assigned to Wisconsin AlumniResearch Foundation”, which describe and teach a microsource system forproviding power in an isolation mode or in a grid mode that isconfigured to couple to a power system without modification of theexisting equipment in the power system, wherein the microsource systemis configured for use in a microgrid, and wherein the microsource powersource may be a fuel cell, a microturbine, battery, or photovoltaiccell.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,983,799 and U.S. Publication 2011/0118885 for “Systemand method for controlling microgrid”, assigned on the document faces toGeneral Electric, which disclose and teach a system for controlling amicrogrid including microgrid assets, with at least one of the microgridassets comprising a different type of electrical generator than anelectrical generator of another of the microgrid assets; a tieline forcoupling the microgrid to a bulk grid; and a tieline controller forproviding tieline control signals to adjust active and reactive power inmicrogrid assets, and further describes that the electrical generatorscomprise at least one renewable energy source.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,834,479 and U.S. Publication 2008/0278000 for “Methodsand systems for intentionally isolating distributed power generationsources”, assigned on the document faces to Beacon Power Corporation,which disclose and teach a method for operating a mini-grid includingone or more power generation sources and one or more loads connected toa bus. The method includes the steps of: monitoring a condition of theutility grid; disconnecting the mini-grid from the utility grid tooperate the mini-grid independently in response to a power disruptionover the utility grid; monitoring at least one of a frequency and avoltage of power on the bus; and providing an interconnect deviceconnected to the bus, the interconnect device including at least one of:an energy storage device for absorbing or releasing real power tocontrol the frequency of the power on the bus, and power qualitycompensator for absorbing or releasing reactive power to control thevoltage of the power on the bus.

U.S. Publication 2007/0040382 for “Self-supporting power generationstation”, by inventor Towada, which teaches a scalable microgrid forproviding power to areas remote from the existing power grid, whereinthe microgrid comprises at least two power pods linked in parallel, andeach power pod has at least one micro-turbine fueled by methane gas, andwherein additional power pods may be added as power needs increase.

By way of example, relevant documents relating to power management andoptimization include:

U.S. Publication 2009/0062969 for “Hybrid robust predictive optimizationmethod of power system dispatch”, assigned on the document to GeneralElectric, which describes a system for controlling and optimizingoperation of a microgrid by integrating power generation, load andstorage assets; it also describes a predictive algorithm that is used todynamically schedule different assets, the predictive algorithmoptimizes the microgrid operation over a predetermined time horizonbased on predicted future microgrid asset conditions.

U.S. Publications 2010/0179704 and 2011/0035073 for “Optimization ofmicrogrid energy use and distribution”, assigned on the document face toIntegral Analytics, Inc., which describes a system for optimization ofenergy use and distribution within a microgrid system, includingforecasting of individualized demand by end-use or individualized demandby location for at least one customer or customer location, whereinforecasting of individualized demand may include inputs including: loadprediction, weather forecast, risk given load uncertainty; customercompliance forecasts, customer probability of override forecasts; timeof day effects; and day of week effects.

U.S. Publication 2010/0222934 for “System for managing energy at loads”,by inventors Iino, et al., which teaches an energy management systemcomprising a demand prediction unit configured to predict demand at aload to which energy is supplied and a load adjustment range predictionunit to predict a load adjustment range by using historical data,wherein the system is applied to a microgrid capable of performingdemand-side management.

U.S. Publication 2011/0082596 for “Real time microgrid power analyticsportal for mission critical power systems” and U.S. Publication2011/0082597 for “Microgrid model based automated real time simulationfor market based electric power system optimization”, each assigned onthe document face to EDSA Micro Corporation, which describe a system forreal-time modeling of electrical system performance of a microgridelectrical system, wherein predicted data for the electrical system isgenerating using a virtual system model, and the virtual system model isupdated based on real-time data to forecast the cost of operating themicrogrid and the reliability and availability of the microgrid system.

Furthermore, in relevant art, it is known to describe how energy pricingis integrated into the described forecasting models. By way of exampleof relevant prior art documents, consider the following:

U.S. Publication 2011/0082596 for “Real time microgrid power analyticsportal for mission critical power systems” and U.S. Publication2011/0082597 for “Microgrid model based automated real time simulationfor market based electric power system optimization”, each assigned onthe document faces to EDSA Micro Corporation, which teach a system forreal-time modeling of electrical system performance of a microgridelectrical system, wherein predicted data for the electrical system isgenerating using a virtual system model that is updated based onreal-time data to forecast the cost of operating the microgrid and thereliability and availability of the microgrid system. Furthermore, alltransactions between the public electric service on the macrogrid andthe microgrid infrastructure are closely monitored, and rate and pricinginformation for the management of electricity exchange are alsomaintained. Closely monitoring this information and updating the virtualand real time models accordingly allows the systems and methodsdisclosed herein to optimize energy consumption to meet variousobjectives of the microgrid operator, wherein predicted data can be usedto generate market-based pricing predictions based on the performance ofthe components of the electrical system.

U.S. Publication 2008/0262820 for “Real-time predictive systems forintelligent energy monitoring and management of electrical powernetworks” and U.S. Publication 2009/0063122 for “Real-time stabilityindexing for intelligent energy monitoring and management of electricalpower network system”, each assigned to EDSA Micro Corporation, whichteach the following: the '820 publication describes a system forintelligent monitoring and management of an electrical system includinga data acquisition component to acquire real-time data from theelectrical system; a power analytics server comprising a real-timeenergy pricing engine connected to a utility power pricing data tableand configured to generate real-time utility power pricing data, avirtual system modeling engine to generate predicted data output for theelectrical system, an analytics engine configured to monitor thereal-time data output and the predicted data output of the electricalsystem, a machine learning engine configured to store and processpatterns observed from the real-time data output and the predicted dataoutput and configured to forecast an aspect of the electrical system.The '122 publication is a continuation-in-part of '820 and alsodescribes a system for intelligent monitoring and management of anelectrical system

U.S. Publication 2010/0198421 for “Methods and apparatus for design andcontrol of multi-port power electronic interface for renewable energysources”, assigned on the document face to Board of Regents, TheUniversity of Texas System, which teaches a method for managing energymovement wherein a determination of whether operational characteristicsshould be modified is based on at least one factor of: a renewableenergy generation forecast, an energy consumption forecast, and asubstantially real-time price of energy, with the application of thismethod and apparatus in a microgrid setting.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,873,442 and U.S. Publication 2006/0206240 for “Systemand method for managing and optimizing power use”, each assigned on therespective document faces to The Energy Authority, Inc., which describean optimization method for the use of utility power including the stepsof: initializing a utility power load requirement forecast, an amount ofavailable utility power, and aggressiveness position for optimizing theuse of available power, a utility power schedule; determining an initialpower use position for a peak load utility power use range and a lowload range; adjusting the utility power use for real-time transactions,adjusting for utility power storage flexibility, and producing a utilitypower use schedule optimized for use of said utility power in low loadrange and peak load range, wherein the real-time schedule optimizationprovides information on how to adjust the use of resources when updatedload forecasts based on actual load, and market prices change during theday.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,930,070 and U.S. Publication 2010/0076613 for “System,method, and module capable of curtailing energy production withincongestive grid operating environments”, and U.S. Publication2011/0172835 for “System and method of curtailing energy productionwithin congestive grid operating environments”, each assigned on thedocument face to Kingston Consulting, Inc., which describe a method ofmanaging power generation that provides a framework to allow proactivemanagement of alternative energy production through asset monitoring andcharacterization relative to real-time and anticipated grid conditions,and further describes that the energy management system can performcongestion forecasting, energy output forecasting, proactivecurtailments, storage control, dispatch control, real-time pricing,dynamic pricing, or various combinations of features, and a remotemonitor and control module that can include on-grid and off-grid controllogic, real-time performance monitoring, meteorological data interface,microgrid or asynchronous transmission capabilities, local performancecharacterization logic, a control panel, or various combinations offeatures.

U.S. Publication 2011/0093127 for “Distributed energy resources manager”by inventor Kaplan, which describes a distributed energy resourcesmanager that connects electrical assets in an electricity distributiongrid with other information processing systems to optimize a flow ofelectric power within the electricity distribution grid.

Further describes that distributed resources may be utilized to meetsystem-wide needs such as reducing peak consumption, storing excessutility-scale wind or solar power, responding to price signals includingreal-time or critical peak pricing, or supply ancillary grid services.

U.S. Publication 2011/0071882 for “Method and system for intermediate tolong-term forecasting of electric prices and energy demand forintegrated supply-side energy planning”, assigned on the document faceto International Business Machines Corporation, which describes a methodof price forecasting in an electrical energy supply network and/or load(energy demand) forecasting of a given consumer of electrical energy,for identifying the optimal mix of energy hedge and exposure to dayahead/spot market prices for deriving economic benefits in overallenergy expenditure; and further describes modeling using real time priceand day ahead price data and probability distributions.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,657,480 for “Decision support system and method”, whichwas assigned on the document face to Air Liquide Large Industries, anddescribes a computer-implemented method for identifying an excess energycapacity in a production supply chain by a supply chain operator, inwhich the supply chain operator also operates at least one powergeneration facility to sustain industrial production by the productionsupply chain, the supply chain operator is capable of consuming andselling electricity produced by the power generation facility; andfurther describes that the forecasted price for electricity during atime period is determined by a forecasting and planning model utilizinghistorical and real-time data, including the real-time commodity pricesfor electricity.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,583,521 for “Energy management system which includeson-site energy supply” to inventors Lagod, et al., which describes asystem for managing the supply of power to a load that receives powerfrom an electric grid, including: at least one on-site power generatorthat is capable of supplying power to the load independently of thepower grid; a controller which processes data relating to at least onefactor that is predictive of the reliability and/or quality of powersupplied to the load, and selects the power grid or the on-sitegenerator as a preferred power source; and a switch which is responsiveto the selection of the preferred power source to connect the load tothe selected power source, and further describes that the selection ofthe preferred power source may be on the basis of relative costs ofpower supplied via the power grid and the on-site generator; and therelative costs may include data regarding operating costs of the on-sitegenerator, the price of fuel consumed by the on-site generator, andtime-of-day pricing (including real time pricing) of power supplied viathe power grid.

U.S. Publication 2005/0015283 for “Electric-power-generating-facilityoperation management support system, electric-power-generating-facilityoperation management support method, and program for executing supportmethod, and program for executing operation management support method oncomputer”, assigned on the document face to Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba,which describes an electric-power-generating-facility operationmanagement support system for determining economically-optimaloperational conditions based upon real-time information with regard tothe demand for the electric power and the price thereof as well asinformation with regard to properties of the electric power generatingfacilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to predictive-modeling-based optimizationof power generation and management systems and methods for microgriddistributed power generation applications, including selective,coordinated engagement of emergency power generation equipment, such as,by way of example and not limitation, generators.

It is an object of this invention to provide systems and methods formicrogrid distributed power generation and management using emergencypower generation equipment optimized using predictive modeling methodsfor selective engagement to provide power supply for distribution and/orstorage based upon the grid power demands, energy pricing changes,predetermined levels of market rates, and combinations thereof.

Accordingly, a broad embodiment of this invention is directed to powergeneration systems and methods that selectively engage and harnessemergency power generation equipment to produce electricity fordistribution over a microgrid and/or for storage until laterdistribution. Furthermore, the present invention includes embodiments insystems and methods using predictive modeling for optimization andcoordinated selective activation of emergency power generation equipmentover a predetermined geographic area for distribution and/or storage tosupply a microgrid of electrical power based upon at least onemarket-based factor, including but not limited to energy rates in themarket, pricing changes, power demand within the microgrid, andcombinations thereof.

These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent tothose skilled in the art after a reading of the following description ofthe preferred embodiment when considered with the drawings, as theysupport the claimed invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 is another schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the central controller illustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a networked system and remote servercomputer associated with the systems and methods of the presentinvention illustrated in the other figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings in general, the illustrations are for thepurpose of describing a preferred embodiment of the invention and arenot intended to limit the invention thereto.

The present invention provides methods for power generation andmanagement including the steps of: providing power generation systemsincluding at least one piece of equipment for generating electricalpower located at predetermined, distributed locations for providingemergency back-up power supply for use in situs (on site or on locationof the source of power generation), i.e., without distribution of theelectrical power beyond the locality where it is generated; and usingpredictive modeling methods to optimize timing for selective engagementof the power generation equipment; and selectively activating the powergeneration equipment to produce electricity for distribution over amicrogrid and/or for storage until later distribution over themicrogrid.

The present invention also provides a system for power generation andmanagement including: a multiplicity of power generation equipmentlocated at predetermined, distributed locations for providing emergencyback-up power supply for use in situs, without distribution of theelectrical power beyond the locality where it is generated; wherein theequipment is selectively activatable, and constructed and configured inconnection with an electrical power microgrid to produce electricity fordistribution over the microgrid and/or for storage until laterdistribution over the microgrid; and further including optimization ofpower supply to the microgrid using predictive modeling methods forselective engagement, including a Price Resource Management System(PRMS), including:

a monitoring device that tracks real time wholesale energy market price;a database for storing wholesale energy market price;an analyzing device for storing and analyzing wholesale market pricedata, and on a per power storage device basis, data indicative of theelectricity remaining in that specific device;at least one server computer, located centrally or distributed over anetwork, the at least one server computer in network communication formonitoring and being responsive to the market price fluctuationanalysis, and operable for generating event instructions to acontrollable device for releasing electrical power to the power grid fordistribution when the market price is at least at a predeterminedthreshold(s) at which point the power generated is directed to bereleased and sold to the power grid (note that the power may begenerated directly for immediate distribution or for temporary storagebefore distribution);a device interface for facilitating and producing communication of powerreleasing instructions to at least one controllable device on powerstorage device; and at least one controllable device associated with andpreferably connected to the at least one power generator and/orelectricity storage device, wherein each controllable device is operablefor selectively enabling and disabling the flow of electric power fromthe electric storage to an electric grid, preferably a microgrid, fordistribution thereon.

Preferably, embodiments of the present invention include systems andmethods for coordinating selective activation of a multiplicity ofemergency power generation equipment over a predetermined geographicarea for distribution and/or storage to supply a microgrid of electricalpower for a substantially similar geographic area.

By way of example but not limitation, the systems and methods of thepresent invention are applied to emergency back-up power generationequipment, specifically gasoline or diesel powered generators, locatedat cellular tower sites. While typically the generators must beactivated at least once per week or so, i.e., for maintenanceactivation, in order to ensure functionality when the emergency powerprovided by the generator is needed, due to electrical grid powerfailure or loss, their activation is arbitrary, and the power generatedduring the maintenance activation is not harnessed or used in any way.

FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic diagram of a system illustrating anembodiment of the present invention. Components of the system providefor operation of a microgrid system constructed and configured forautomatically managing electricity generation and releasing by a celltower emergency power backup generator based on predictive modeling ofreal time wholesale energy market price, including at least one powergenerator. Preferably, the at least one power generator includes atleast one electricity generator. More preferably, the present inventionprovides for at least one power generator that is associated with a celltower for the use of emergency backup during electricity blackout.Furthermore, the at least one power generator may include more than onetype of power generator. In one embodiment of the present invention theat least one power generator is selected from the group consisting ofsolar arrays, natural gas generators, propane generators, dieselgenerators, and combinations thereof. In another embodiment, the atleast one power generator includes at least two different types of powergenerating equipment, selected from the group consisting of solararrays, natural gas generators, propane generators, diesel generators,and combinations thereof. The present invention is constructed andconfigured to generate electricity for immediate supply through directconnection into a microgrid electrical distribution system.Additionally, in preferred embodiments, the system of the presentinvention further includes at least one energy storage mechanism ordevice for providing temporary power storage, for selectivelydischarging electricity into a microgrid.

For optimization of management of power generation and distribution viathe systems and methods of the present invention, in addition to theforegoing, the system further includes the components of a PriceResource Management System (PRMS), including:

a monitoring device that tracks real time wholesale energy market price;a database for storing wholesale energy market price;an analyzing device for storing and analyzing wholesale market pricedata, and on a per power storage device basis, data indicative of theelectricity remaining in that specific device;at least one server computer, located centrally or distributed over anetwork, the at least one server computer in network communication formonitoring and being responsive to the market price fluctuationanalysis, and operable for generating event instructions to acontrollable device for releasing electrical power to the power grid fordistribution when the market price is at least at a predetermined and/orprogrammable threshold(s) at which point the power generated is directedto be released and sold to the power grid (note that the power may begenerated directly for immediate distribution or for temporary storagebefore distribution);a device interface for facilitating and producing communication of powerreleasing instructions to at lease one controllable device on powerstorage device;at lease one controllable device associated with and preferablyconnected to the at least one power generator and/or electricity storagedevice, wherein each controllable device is operable for selectivelyenabling and disabling the flow of electric power from the electricstorage to an electric grid, preferably a microgrid, for distributionthereby (public).

In preferred embodiments of the systems and methods of the presentinvention, the PRMS stores, monitors and analyzes the real timewholesale energy market price for use with predictive modeling foroptimized power generation timing, management, storage, and distributionto a microgrid. By using predictive modeling, when wholesale energymarket price reaches a predetermined threshold, the PRMS generatesinstructions to the at least one controllable device associated witheach power generator and/or electricity storage device to release andsell power to public power grids.

FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of theinvention. Steps of managing power generation and distribution for amicrogrid are shown, including providing a power generation systemincluding at least one piece of equipment for generating electricalpower located at predetermined, distributed locations for providingemergency back-up power supply for use at the locations of powergeneration, without distribution of the electrical power beyond thelocality where it is generated; and selectively activating the powergeneration equipment to produce electricity for distribution over amicrogrid and/or for storage until later distribution over themicrogrid.

FIG. 2 shows another schematic diagram illustrating one embodiment ofthe invention. Steps of managing power generation and distribution for amicrogrid are shown, including providing a power generation systemincluding at least one piece of equipment for generating electricalpower located at predetermined, distributed locations for providingemergency back-up power supply for use at the locations of powergeneration, without distribution of the electrical power beyond thelocality where it is generated; and selectively activating the powergeneration equipment to produce electricity for distribution over amicrogrid and/or for storage until later distribution over themicrogrid. FIG. 3 illustrates a diagram of the central controllerillustrated in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a networked system and remote servercomputer associated with the systems and methods of the presentinvention. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a basic schematic of some of thekey components of the system including remote server computer andnetwork access to the microgrid distributed power generation equipment,according to the present invention are shown. The system 100 comprises aserver 110 with a processing unit 111. The server 110 is constructed,configured and coupled to enable communication over a network 150. Theserver provides for user interconnection with the server over thenetwork using a personal computer (PC) 140 positioned remotely from theserver. Furthermore, the system is operable for a multiplicity of remotepersonal computers or terminals 160, 170. For example, in aclient/server architecture, as shown. Alternatively, a user mayinterconnect through the network 150 using a user device such as apersonal digital assistant (PDA), mobile communication device, such asby way of example and not limitation, a mobile phone, a cell phone,smart phone, laptop computer, netbook, a terminal, or any othercomputing device suitable for network connection. Also, alternativearchitectures may be used instead of the client/server architecture. Forexample, a PC network, or other suitable architecture may be used. Thenetwork 150 may be the Internet, an intranet, or any other networksuitable for searching, obtaining, and/or using information and/orcommunications. The system of the present invention further includes anoperating system 112 installed and running on the server 110, enablingserver 110 to communicate through network 150 with the remote,distributed devices, including controller, monitoring device, powergeneration equipment, and combinations thereof. The operating system maybe any operating system known in the art that is suitable for networkcommunication.

From a microgrid supply described hereinabove, the power may be furtherdistributed over a wider power grid. For the purposes of thisapplication, the ability to provide power generation creates a microgridon site with the power generation equipment; surplus generation may befurther distributed beyond the immediate location of the powergeneration, i.e., beyond the microgrid created thereby, to a broaderelectrical power grid, a primary grid, and the like, wherein theelectricity supplied thereto is provided by a variety of sources (e.g.,an energy company).

Certain modifications and improvements will occur to those skilled inthe art upon a reading of the foregoing description. By way of exampleand not limitation, systems and methods of the present invention forproviding microgrid power from power generators may supply the powerdirectly into a microgrid or may temporarily store the power generatedin energy storage mechanisms or apparatus, such as a power cell orbattery, wherein the storage is intended to be released at and for atleast one predetermined time into the grid, such as peak grid loadtimes, or high energy demand times, or at times that are calculatedbased upon energy distribution optimization considerations. Andcombinations of these factors. Preferably the systems and methodsinclude a remote server computer that is operable in networkedcommunication with the at least one piece of equipment for monitoringthe status of the equipment and for activating the equipment remotelybased upon triggers identified by the PRMS. Also, the present inventionsystems and methods provide for curtailment applications wherein if thepower goes out to the grid, and the emergency back-up power generationhas registered with the power company or management entity, then everytime the emergency power is generated, then the system provides forautomatic credit for that period of self-supplied or self-generatedpower even where that power is not distributed over the broader grid.

The above-mentioned examples are provided to serve the purpose ofclarifying the aspects of the invention and it will be apparent to oneskilled in the art that they do not serve to limit the scope of theinvention. All modifications and improvements have been deleted hereinfor the sake of conciseness and readability but are properly within thescope of the present invention.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for optimized power generation andmanagement comprising steps of: providing a microgrid including at leastone power generation equipment for generating electrical power locatedat predetermined, distributed locations for providing emergency back-uppower supply for use at the locations of power generation; providing aPrice Resource Management System (PRMS) coupled with the at least onepower generation equipment, the PRMS providing predictive modeling;storing, monitoring and analyzing a real-time wholesale energy marketprice for use with the predictive modeling for optimized powergeneration timing, management, storage, and/or distribution to themicrogrid; at least one server computer, located centrally ordistributed over a network, for monitoring and responding to thereal-time wholesale energy market price fluctuation analysis for usewith the predictive modeling, and operable for automatically generatingevent instructions to a controllable device based on the predictivemodeling of the real-time wholesale energy market price forautomatically releasing electrical power to the microgrid fordistribution when the real-time wholesale energy market price is atleast at a predetermined threshold(s); a device interface forfacilitating and producing communication of power releasing instructionsto at least one controllable device coupled with the at least one powergenerator and/or electricity storage device, wherein each controllabledevice is operable for automatically selectively enabling and disablingthe flow of electric power to the microgrid and for distribution to thegrid or the microgrid; and selectively activating the power generationequipment to produce electricity for distribution over the microgridand/or for storage until later distribution via the microgrid.
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further including a step of storing, monitoring, andanalyzing data indicative of electricity in a power storage device. 3.The method of claim 1, further including a step of the at least oneserver computer coordinating selective activation of at least twoemergency power generation equipments over a predetermined geographicarea for distribution and/or storage to the microgrid using a PRMS-basedoptimization timing.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the methodprovides for selective activation of the power generation equipmentbased upon factors including when the real-time wholesale energy marketprice is at least at a predetermined threshold, changes in energypricing, peak demand for energy from the microgrid.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the method provides for selective activation of thepower generation equipment to supply power to charge a power storagedevice.
 6. The method of claim 1, further including a step of the PRMSgenerating instructions to at least one controllable device associatedwith each of the at least one power generation equipment to releasepower to sell to public power grids.
 7. The method of claim 1, furtherincluding a step of the PRMS generating instructions to at least onecontrollable device associated with at least one electricity storagedevice to release stored power to sell to public power grids.
 8. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the method provides for the selectiveactivation of the power generation equipment on a regular basis at leastonce per day.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the method provides forthe selective activation of the power generation equipment on a regularbasis at least once per week.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein themethod provides for the selective activation of the power generationequipment on a regular basis at least once per month.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the system further includes an automated remotecontroller for activating the at least one piece of equipment based uponinstruction received by the controller from the remote server computer.12. The method of claim 1, wherein the system further includes a remoteserver computer in networked communication with the at least one pieceof equipment for monitoring the status of the equipment and foractivating the equipment remotely.
 13. A method for optimized powergeneration and management comprising steps of: providing a power gridincluding at least one power generation equipment for generatingelectrical power located at predetermined, distributed locations forproviding emergency back-up power supply for use at the locations ofpower generation; providing a Price Resource Management System (PRMS)coupled with the at least one power generation equipment, the PRMSproviding predictive modeling; storing, monitoring and analyzing areal-time wholesale energy market price for use with the predictivemodeling for optimized power generation timing, management, storage,and/or distribution to the power grid; an analyzing device for storingand analyzing the real-time wholesale energy market price with thepredictive modeling; at least one server computer, located centrally ordistributed over a network, for monitoring and being responsive to thereal-time wholesale energy market price fluctuation analysis for usewith the predictive modeling, and operable for automatically generatingevent instructions to at least one controllable device based on thepredictive modeling of the real-time wholesale energy market price forautomatically releasing electrical power to the power grid fordistribution when the real-time wholesale energy market price is atleast at a predetermined threshold(s); a device interface forfacilitating and producing communication of power releasing instructionsto at least one controllable device on the power storage device; atleast one controllable device associated with and preferably connectedto the at least one power generator and/or electricity storage device,wherein each controllable device is operable for automaticallyselectively enabling and disabling the flow of electric power to thepower grid and for distribution to the power grid; and selectivelyactivating the power generation equipment to produce electricity fordistribution over the power grid and/or for storage until laterdistribution.
 14. A system for microgrid distributed power generationand management comprising: a multiplicity of power generation equipmentand/or power storage device(s) located at predetermined, distributedlocations for providing emergency back-up power supply for use in situs,without distribution of the electrical power beyond the locality whereit is generated; and a Price Resource Management System (PRMS) connectedto the at least one power generation equipment, and operable for:storing, monitoring and analyzing the real-time wholesale energy marketprice for use with the predictive modeling for optimized powergeneration timing, management, storage, and distribution to a microgrid;an analyzing device for storing and analyzing real-time wholesale energymarket price, and on a per power storage device basis, data indicativeof the electricity remaining in the power storage device; at least oneserver computer, located centrally or distributed over a network formonitoring and being responsive to the real-time wholesale energy marketprice fluctuation analysis analyzed for use with the predictivemodeling, and operable for automatically generating event instructionsto a controllable device based on the predictive modeling of thereal-time wholesale energy market price for automatically releasingelectrical power to the microgrid for distribution when the real-timewholesale energy market price is at least at a predetermined threshold;a device interface for facilitating and producing communication of powerreleasing instructions to at least one controllable device on the powerstorage device(s); at least one controllable device coupled with the atleast one power generator and/or power storage device(s), wherein eachcontrollable device is operable for automatically selectively enablingand disabling the flow of electric power from the at least one powergenerator and/or electric storage to an electric microgrid; andselectively activating the power generation equipment to produceelectricity for the microgrid, wherein the equipment is remotely,selectively, and automatically activatable when the real-time wholesaleenergy market price is at a predetermined threshold.
 15. The system ofclaim 14, further including more than one power generation equipmentthat is operable for coordinated, selective activation.
 16. The systemof claim 14, further including a multiplicity of emergency powergeneration equipment positioned apart over a predetermined geographicarea for distribution and/or storage to supply a microgrid of electricalpower.
 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the at least one equipment isautomatically selectively activatable at predetermined times based uponthe PRMS-based model.
 18. The system of claim 14, wherein the at leastone equipment is selectively activatable during periods when theelectrical grid experiences high demand for power supply.
 19. The systemof claim 14, wherein the at least one server computer includes a remoteserver computer that is operable in networked communication with the atleast one piece of equipment for monitoring the status of the equipmentand for activating the equipment remotely based upon triggers identifiedby the PRMS.